Everybody Needs A Barnabas

Everybody needs somebody to stand for them at some time in life. Everybody needs someone to believe in them. There are endless examples of people that possessed talent, drive, giftedness, calling, purpose and so on who lacked one thing. An advocate. One that could vouch for another. One person that said I believe in you. One person that said to others "I believe in this person." A person that could walk before the skeptical and say "This person is for real."

Perhaps it is laziness. Perhaps it is convenience. Perhaps it is sinister. However it may be, we have a terrible propensity for labeling people. It is like gossip: the label may be wrong but it tends to stick. "You will never do.......You will never be.......You will always......" The common belief is that in this life, you are what you are. People will even quote (misquote) scripture and say "Can a leopard change its spots" the implication being that you are stuck with being the way you are. I would believe that too IF I had not seen differently in life. I have seen and continue to see life transformation taking place. Marriages being restored, skirt-chasers straightening up, the angry calming down, the bitter releasing their bitterness, the resentful expressing forgiveness.

The apostle Paul was a religiously obsessed devoted Jew that pursued Christians and sent them to their deaths. And yet out of all people this same Paul was called out by Jesus Christ to be his servant, follower, and disciple. A true 180. Shortly after his conversion Paul tried to join himself to a group of Christians. They were understandably hesitant, and quite frankly, very afraid. What happened next is one of the great lessons of life. Barnabas, a follower of Jesus Christ, stood on the behalf of Paul and confirmed everything that happened to Paul, describing his conversion and the sincerity of his faith. What was the result? As Paul went throughout Syria and Cilicia preaching it was said of him "The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!' And they praised God because of me" (Gal 1:23-24). Paul went on to become one of the most influential men in history, authoring 2/3 of the New Testament and spreading the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire during the first century.

I have had a few people play the role of Barnabas in my life. My parents, who always saw grand things for me, even when I did not believe in myself. My cousin Karen Key, who through ways only known to her, helped me acquire my present job. Darlene Lawrence, who has been a steady advocate for my God-given gifts, talents, and abilities. Rev. Renardo Hunter, who has always acknowledged my calling and never lets me forget it or shy away from it. And the ultimate advocate, Jesus Christ, who changed my life when I had lost hope, and continues to stand with me until this very day.

So who will you stand for? Who will you tell "I believe in you?" Who will you go before others for and say "This person is true?" So let it be written. So let it be done.